For the safety and protection of youth, the Killingly Public Library has developed the following rules:

1. All children, aged 7 and under, must be accompanied by an adult or reponsible adolescent. The library assumes no responsibility for an unattended child. The person-in-charge must stay with the child, unless the child is participating in a storytime or other program. In that case, the person-in-charge must wait in the Children's Department.

2. Self-supervised youth, aged 8 and up, are welcome to use the library as long as their behavior is in accordance with the behavior policy. Parents should not view the library as an alternative to day care. Unlike a daycare facility, the library is not a closed environment. Staff cannot monitor everyone who enters, and all patrons are free to use any public area within the library. For safety's sake, parents should make sure that their children are sufficiently mature before allowing them to visit the library by themselves. Parents should be advised that if their children misbehave, they may be told to leave the library and the library grounds. Parents should further realize that, even in their absence, they are legally responsible for their children's behavior.

3. Children must leave the library at closing time. If necessary, parents must arrange to pick up their children, aged 13 and under, by closing time. Youngsters left to wait outside for a ride after the library has closed are placed in a vulnerable position. Staff are not responsible for the safety of a child once the library has closed. However, staff will attempt to contact parents. If they are unsuccessful, the police may be summoned to assist the youth.

Approved by the Killingly Town Council on April 9, 1996.